Record-Breaking Performances: A Look at Single-Season Receiving Touchdown Leaders in College Football
The world of college football is filled with electrifying plays and unforgettable performances. Among the most exciting aspects of the game is the touchdown, and wide receivers who can consistently find the end zone are highly valued. This article delves into the record books to highlight the players who have achieved the extraordinary feat of recording the most receiving touchdowns in a single season across different divisions of college football.
Defining the Divisions
Before diving into the records, it's important to understand the different divisions within college football:
- FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision): This is the highest level of college football, featuring the largest and most well-funded programs.
- FCS (Football Championship Subdivision): This is the second-highest level, with teams that are generally smaller than FBS schools.
- Division II: This division comprises smaller colleges and universities that offer a mix of athletic and academic opportunities.
- Division III: This division consists of institutions that prioritize academics, with no athletic scholarships offered.
FBS Standouts
The Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) represents the pinnacle of college football, and several players have etched their names into history with remarkable touchdown-scoring seasons.
Single-Season Receiving Touchdown Leaders in FBS History
- Troy Edwards: 27 (1998) A year after Randy Moss put up monster stats at Marshall, Edwards had slightly superior numbers at Louisiana Tech.
Other notable FBS records:
- Highest Passing Efficiency Rating, Season: Tim Clifford, Indiana vs Colorado, 1980 (min. 12 attempts) with 403.4. Bruce Gradkowski, Toledo vs Buffalo, 2003 (min. 25 attempts) with 317.4. Geno Smith, West Virginia vs Baylor, 2012 (min. 248.0).
- Highest Completion Percentage, Game: Seth Doege, Texas Tech vs. New Mexico, Sep. 17, 2011 (min. 40 completions) with 90.6%. Kyle Allen, Houston vs. Rice, Sep. 16, 2017 (min. 30 completions) with 93.9%. Greyson Lambert, Georgia vs. South Carolina, Sep. 18, 2015 (min. 96.0).
- Most Passing Yards, Game: Connor Halliday, Washington State vs Cal, Oct. 4, 2014 (734 yards); Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech vs Oklahoma, Oct. (819 yards).
- Fewest Interceptions Thrown, Career (min. 750 attempts): Marcus Mariota, Oregon, 2012-14 with 1.20%. Kellen Moore, Boise State, 2009 (min. 150-349 attempts) with 0.70%. Matt Blundin, Virginia, 1991 (150-349 attempts) with 0.0%.
- Most Consecutive Passes Completed: Dominique Davis, East Carolina, last 10 attempts vs. Memphis, Oct. 15, 2011 and first 26 vs. Navy, Oct. (36 passes).
- Most Receiving Yards, Game: Troy Edwards, Louisiana Tech vs. Nebraska, Aug. (405 yards).
- Most Touchdown Receptions, Game: Rashaun Woods, Oklahoma State vs. SMU, Sep. (7 touchdowns).
- Highest Punting Average, Season (min. 36 punts): Matt Araiza, San Diego State, 2021 (min. with 51.19 yards.
- Highest Punting Average, Game (min. 5 punts): Braden Mann, Texas A&M vs. Alabama, Sep. 22, 2018 (5-9 punts) with 60.8 yards. Jim Benien, Oklahoma State vs. Colorado, Nov. 13, 1971 (min. with 53.6 yards.
- Most Yards on Kickoff Returns, Game: Antonio Perkins, Oklahoma vs. UCLA, Sep. (277 yards).
- Most Kickoff Return Touchdowns, Game: Antonio Perkins, Oklahoma vs. UCLA, Sep. (3 touchdowns).
- Most Interceptions, Season: Al Brosky, Illinois, Nov. 11, 1950 to Oct. (15 interceptions).
- Most Interceptions, Game: Lee Cook, Oklahoma St. vs. Detroit, Nov. 28, 1942; Walt Pastuszak, Brown vs. Rhode Island, Oct. 8, 1949; Byron Beaver, Houston vs. Baylor, Sep. 22, 1962; Dan Rebsch, Miami (OH) vs. Western Mich. (5 interceptions).
- Most Interceptions By Team, Game: Oklahoma St. vs. Detroit, Nov. 28, 1942; UCLA vs. California, Oct. (10 interceptions).
Other Notable FBS Players with 20 Touchdowns or More
- T-2. Randy Moss: 25 (1997) In many other seasons, Moss’ 1997 campaign might have been enough to win the Heisman Trophy. He recorded 90 receptions for 1,647 yards and 25 touchdowns that year, dominating in an era where the passing game still wasn’t as prevalent. Marshall went 10-3 as a result of Moss’ play, while he finished fourth in Heisman voting in one of the greatest all-time races for the award.
- Davante Adams: 24 (2013) There’s a reason why Adams is so fond of Derek Carr. The quarterback fed him well during their time together at Fresno State, especially in their final season in 2013. Adams had 131 receptions for 1,719 yards and 24 touchdowns that year en route to his second first-team All-Mountain West selection and winning the Warfield Trophy. His No. 15 jersey was officially retired by Fresno State in 2022.
- Larry Fitzgerald: 22 (2003) Fitzgerald’s 2003 season at Pitt was nearly enough for him to win the Heisman Trophy. He led the nation in receiving yards (1,672) and receiving touchdowns (22) that year, finishing second to Oklahoma quarterback Jason White. A unanimous All-American, first-team All-Big East selection and Big East Offensive Player of the Year in 2003, Fitzgerald went on to win a slew of accolades that same year, including the Biletnikoff Award, Warfield Trophy and Walter Camp Award (most outstanding college football player in the United States), among others. His No. 1 jersey was officially retired by the University of Pittsburgh in 2013.
- Michael Crabtree: 22 (2007) Many fans might remember Crabtree’s 2008 season more as he nearly helped Texas Tech reach the title game that year. However, he was statistically better as a redshirt freshman in 2007, leading the nation in receptions (134), receiving yards (1,962) and receiving touchdowns (22). A two-time Biletnikoff Award winner, two-time Warfield Trophy winner and two-time unanimous All-American, Crabtree went on to be the 10th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.
- Corey Coleman: 20 (2015) Coleman was a pivotal piece in Baylor’s strong run of play in the mid-2010s. He had 74 receptions for 1,363 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2015, helping him become an All-American. A two-time first-team All-Big 12 selection, Coleman won the Biletnikoff Award in 2015 and went on to become the 15th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
- Ja'Marr Chase: 20 (2019) Chase was the biggest beneficiary of QB Joe Burrow’s legendary 2019 season at LSU. Chase, a first-team All-SEC selection, unanimous All-American and Biletnikoff Award winner, led LSU in receiving scores that year. Chase, Burrow and the Tigers went on to win the national championship that year before Chase was drafted fifth overall in 2021.
- Patrick Edwards: 20 (2011) When Houtson's Case Keenum had the then-best season of all time statistically for a quarterback in 2011, one of his wide receivers stood to benefit from it mightily. Edwards was that guy, logging 1,752 receiving yards and 20 receiving touchdowns that year. Edwards signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2012.
- Justin Blackmon: 20 (2010) Blackmon was one of the best wide receivers in the early 2010s, recording back-to-back seasons in which he had at least 110 receptions and 1,500 receiving yards. He won both the Biletnikoff Award (the most outstanding WR in college football) and the Warfield Trophy (the nation's top collegiate wide receiver) twice in back-to-back years (2010-11).Blackmon, who twice earned unanimous All-American honors with Oklahoma State and was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2010, went on to become the fifth overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft.
- Jarett Dillard: 20 (2008) Dillard's 1,310 receiving yards and 20 receiving touchdowns helped Rice go 10-3 in 2008. He was also the first player from Rice to earn first-team All-Conference USA three times. Dillard set NCAA career records for most touchdown receptions (60) and games with a touchdown catch (38) as well as the single-season record for games with a touchdown reception and consecutive games with a touchdown reception (13) in 2006. Dillard, who led the Owls to their first bowl appearance and bowl victory in nearly five decades in 2006, is on the 2026 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.
FCS Record Holders
The Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) has its own share of record-breaking performances.
- Other notable FCS records:
- Highest Completion Percentage, Game: Ricky Santos, New Hampshire vs. Northeastern, Oct. 22, 2005 (min. with 96.2%. Taron Dickens, Western Carolina vs. Wofford, Oct. 4, (min. 30 completions) with 94.6%.
- Fewest Interceptions Thrown, Career (min. 750 attempts): Josh Johnson, San Diego, 2004-07 with 1.41%. Trey Lance, North Dakota State, 2019 (150-349 attempts) with 0.00%. Pat Devlin, Delaware, 2010 (min. with 0.78%.
- Most Consecutive Passes Completed: Taron Dickens, Western Carolina vs. Wofford, Oct. (46 passes). Chas Gessner, Brown vs. Rhode Island, Oct. 5, 2002; Jerry Rice, Mississippi Valley vs. Southern, Oct. (24 passes).
- Most Receiving Yards, Game: Kassim Osgood, Cal Poly vs. Northern Iowa, Nov. (376 yards).
- Most Touchdown Receptions, Game: Cos DeMatteo, Chattanooga vs. Mississippi Valley, Sep. (6 touchdowns). Lindsey Scott Jr. (71 Touchdowns).
- Highest Punting Average, Season (min. 36 punts): Mark Gould, Northern Arizona, 2002 (min. with 48.2 yards.
- Highest Punting Average, Game (min. 5 punts): Eddie Johnson, Idaho State vs. Cal Poly, Nov. 16, 2002 (5-9 punts) with 61.5 yards. Stuart Dodds, Montana State vs. Northern Arizona, Oct. 20, 1979 (min. with 52.2 yards.
- Most Yards on Kickoff Returns, Game: Leonard Goolsby, South Carolina State vs. Norfolk State, Oct. (227 yards).
- Most Kickoff Return Touchdowns, Game: Zuriel Smith, Hampton vs. Virginia State, Sep. 22, 2001; Aaron Fix, Canisius vs. Siena, Sep. (3 touchdowns).
- Most Interceptions, Game: Mark Cordes, Eastern Washington vs. Boise State, Sep. 6, 1986; Michael Richardson, Northwestern State vs. Southeastern Louisiana, Nov. 12, 1983; Karl Johnson, Jackson State vs. Grambling, Oct. NCAA National record: 5 interceptions by Bill Trewick, St. Cloud State vs. Bemidji, Oct. Gary Evans, Truman vs. Missouri S&T, Oct. (5 interceptions).
- Most Interceptions, Game: Jeffrey Smyth, Presbyterian College vs. Stetson University, Apr. (2 interceptions).
Division II Dominance
Division II football showcases impressive talent, and several players have achieved remarkable single-season touchdown totals.
Read also: US Colleges Ranked by Beauty
- Other notable Div II records:
- Highest Completion Percentage, Game: Zack Eskridge, Midwestern State vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville, Oct. 17, 2009 (min. Lance Parker, Ouachita Baptist vs. Southwest Baptist, Oct. 25, 2008 (min. 35 completions) with 90.0%.
- Fewest Interceptions Thrown, Career (min. 750 attempts): Malik Grove, Notre Dame College, 2014-2017 with 1.29%. Billy Cundiff, Ashland, 2009 (min. with 0.32%.
- Most Consecutive Passes Completed: Mike Ganey, Allegheny, last 16 attempts vs. Carnegie Mellon, Oct. 9, 1967 and first seven attempts vs. Oberlin, Oct. (23 passes). Mitchell Shegos, Notre Dame (OH) vs. Glenville State, Oct. 25, 2014; Chris George, Glenville State vs. West Virginia Wesleyan, Oct. 15, 1994; Barry Wagner, Alabama A&M vs. Clark Atlanta, Nov. (23 passes).
- Most Receiving Yards, Game: Trey McVay, Northeastern State vs. Harding, Oct. (425 yards).
- Most Touchdown Receptions, Game: Paul Zaeske, North Park vs. North Central (IL), Oct. (8 touchdowns).
- Highest Punting Average, Season (min. 36 punts): Taylor Accardi, Colorado School of Mines, 2012 (min. with 51.1 yards. Taylor Accardi, Colorado School of Mines, 2011 (min. with 48.5 yards.
- Highest Punting Average, Game: Tim Baer, Colorado Mines vs. Fort Lewis, Oct. 25, 1986 (min. (with 57.5 yards.
- Most Yards on Kickoff Returns, Game: Billy Johnson, Widener vs. St. John's (NY), Sep. (265 yards).
- Most Kickoff Return Touchdowns, Game: Virgil Seay, Troy vs. West Alabama, Sep. 29, 1979; Billy Johnson, Widener vs. St. John's (NY), Sep. 23, 1972; Bobby Ahu, Hawaii vs. Linfield, Nov. 15, 1969; Tom Shockley, Adams State vs. Colo Mines, Nov. (3 touchdowns).
- Most Interceptions, Game: Gary Evans, Truman vs. Missouri S&T, Oct. (5 interceptions).
- Most Interceptions, Game: 11 interceptions: St. Cloud State College vs Bemidji, Oct. 31, 1970.
Division III Achievements
Division III football emphasizes the importance of academics, yet it still produces remarkable athletic feats.
- Other notable Div III records:
- Highest Completion Percentage, Game: Mark Petruziello, John Carroll vs. Thomas More, Sep. 6, 2008 (min. Ian Kolste, Whitworth vs. George Fox, Oct. 1, 2016 (min. 35 completions) with 84.9%.
- Fewest Interceptions Thrown, Career (min. 750 attempts): Greg Micheli, Mount Union, 2005-08 with 1.15%. Bobby Swallow, Washington & Jefferson, 2005-08 (min. with 1.47%. Matt Behrendt, Wisconsin-Whitewater, 2013 (min. with 0.2%.
- Most Consecutive Passes Completed: Chris Edwards, Washington & Jefferson. last eight attempts vs. Hanover, Sep. 10, 2005 and first 21 attempts vs. Allegheny, Sep. (29 passes). Daniel Passafiume, Hanover vs. Franklin, Nov. (25 passes).
- Most Receiving Yards, Game: Lewis Howes, Principia vs. Martin Luther, Oct. (418 yards).
- Most Touchdown Receptions, Game: Paul Zaeske, North Park vs. North Central (IL), Oct. (8 touchdowns). Matt Perceval, Wesleyan (CT) vs. Middlebury, Sept. (7 touchdowns).
- Highest Punting Average, Season (min. 36 punts): Andrew DiNardo, CUA, 2017 (min. with 46.5 yards.
- Highest Punting Average, Game: Danny Breslow, Kumeyaay vs. Tierrasanta, Nov. 1, 1999 (min. with 58.4 yards.
- Most Yards on Kickoff Returns, Game: P. J. Williams, Mary Hardin-Baylor vs. Mississippi College, Oct. (278 yards).
- Most Kickoff Return Touchdowns, Game: John Conroy, Otterbein vs. Heidelberg, Nov. (3 touchdowns).
- Most Interceptions, Game: James Patrick, Stillman vs. Edward Waters, Nov. Oct. (5 interceptions).
Read also: College Football Rushing Guide
Read also: Titans of the Hardwood: An In-Depth Analysis
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